Author: Mwangi Maina

Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah elected AfDB president, succeeding Akinwumi Adesina after close vote May 29, 2025

Tah, who officially begins his five-year term on September 1, 2025, brings over 35 years of financial and development experience, most recently leadin...

Haiti turns to mercenaries as Kenyan-led mission wanes May 29, 2025

The Haitian government has inked a deal with Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater—a company long associated with shadowy operations and alleged war...

Kenya-Tanzania rift over activist’s deportation sparks regional reckoning on free expression May 28, 2025

Kenyans, particularly on social media, reacted not with silence but with satire: memes, parodies, and comedic impersonations of Tanzanian President Sa...

Nairobi shifts position on Western Sahara, endorses Morocco’s autonomy plan May 26, 2025

Kenya had previously hosted SADR President Brahim Ghali and held formal ties with the self-declared republic, a stance that aligned more closely with...

Kenya cancels launch of Somaliland liaison office in Nairobi, reaffirms Somalia ties May 26, 2025

This comes amid heightened sensitivities between Nairobi and Mogadishu over Kenya's evolving relationship with Somaliland—a breakaway region that decl...

Kenya officially opens embassy in Rabat, signalling diplomatic reset with Morocco May 26, 2025

The embassy was formally opened by Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, in a ceremony attended by d...

Kenya reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty as Somaliland leader heads to Nairobi May 26, 2025

In a quiet but telling passage, the statement notes Nairobi's intention to "maintain contact and relations with sub-national entities in Somalia, incl...

Mudavadi heads to Rabat to open Kenya’s first embassy in Morocco, signaling diplomatic realignment May 23, 2025

It will be Mudavadi's inaugural trip to Rabat as foreign minister, and the first time a Kenyan foreign minister makes an official visit for bilateral...

Activist Boniface Mwangi deported from Tanzania and dumped in Ukunda, family confirms May 22, 2025

The activist’s detention had sparked widespread outrage, seen by many as an arbitrary move that violated both bilateral and international norms.

Kenya presses Tanzania over Boniface Mwangi’s detention, cites Vienna Convention breach May 22, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs urged Tanzania to "expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release of Mwangi."

Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi visits Djibouti amid regional tensions, Horn of Africa realignment May 22, 2025

The trip signals Somaliland's intent to reassert its regional presence and deepen ties amid shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya reasserts sovereignty amid US scrutiny over China ties May 21, 2025

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya's diplomacy is guided by national interest, not external pressure.

Kenya walks diplomatic tightrope on Sudan amid accusations of RSF ties May 21, 2025

Mudavadi reaffirmed Nairobi's alignment with the African Union's stance, which suspended Sudan from the continental bloc following the 2021 military t...

AU welcomes appointment of Kamil Idris as Sudan's new prime minister May 20, 2025

AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended the move by Sudan's junta leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to appoint Kamil Idris, a former UN official...

Ramaphosa lands in Washington to repair South Africa-US ties May 20, 2025

Ramaphosa seeks to mend frayed relations with the Trump administration and promote investment opportunities for South African industries, including po...

How Tundu Lissu’s court appearance rekindles debate over political freedoms in Tanzania May 19, 2025

It was his first appearance since his arrest last month—an episode that has reignited tensions around political freedoms and state repression ahead of...

Tanzania deports Kenyan activists as President Samia warns against foreign interference May 19, 2025

"They've already caused enough chaos in their own countries. Don't give room to ill-mannered individuals from elsewhere to bring disorder here," she s...

AU’s Faure Gnassingbé leads renewed push to mediate DRC crisis amid rising external influence May 19, 2025

While the AU-backed Luanda process, launched in 2022 and previously spearheaded by Angolan President João Lourenço, remains formally in place, it is u...

Kenya demands ex-CJ Mutunga’s immediate release as Tanzania detains delegation ahead of Lissu trial May 19, 2025

Nairobi's latest appeal signals a growing unease within the region over Dar es Salaam's handling of political dissent and its response to regional scr...

Tanzania’s Mohamed Janabi elected WHO Africa regional director after strong diplomatic push May 18, 2025

Mohamed's nomination will now be submitted to the WHO executive board for formal ratification, a step widely expected to be procedural.

Mudavadi urges African envoys in Brazil to back AU reforms, financial overhaul May 16, 2025

Hosted in the Brazilian capital and received by Ambassador Martin Mbeng—Dean of the African diplomatic corps representing 35 countries—the meeting bro...

East Africa's spy chiefs visit Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam May 15, 2025

The visit took place on the sidelines of a high-level intelligence meeting in Addis Ababa and reflects a widening regional consensus on reclassifying...

South Sudan denies rumours of President Kiir's death, calls for calm May 15, 2025

The president, it added, "continues to carry out his presidential duties with vigour, commitment, sound health and complete fitness."

New AUC Chair faces old challenges as he seeks to rebuild trust with regional blocs May 14, 2025

The AU has long struggled with disjointed relationships with regional blocs—a dysfunction that has often bred mistrust, competition, and in some cases...

Ethiopia's electoral board deregisters Tigray People's Liberation Front, casting uncertainty over peace process May 14, 2025

The decision comes at the end of a three-month suspension imposed on the TPLF for its failure to convene a federally recognised general assembly and e...

Winnie Odinga's EALA reality check reveals deeper crisis in regional legislature May 13, 2025

Winnie described EALA as "on its deathbed" and revealing that she has gone for months without receiving her salary.

NIS Chief Noordin Haji admits Oromo Liberation Army occupying Kenyan territory May 13, 2025

Noordin's testimony contradicts previous official positions that had downplayed OLA's presence in Kenya as episodic or isolated.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb makes historic visit to Kenya as Nordic-Africa ties deepen May 12, 2025

The visit comes as the two countries commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring a renewed Nordic interest in East Africa amid shifting...

AUSSOM on the brink: Funding crisis threatens AU's Somalia mission May 12, 2025

With donor fatigue mounting, the UN Security Council (UNSC) is expected to hold closed-door consultations Monday to deliberate on the mission's financ...

Sudan envoy defies junta’s orders to cut ties with UAE, saying it is "irrelevant" May 10, 2025

The decision, ostensibly driven by accusations that the UAE is arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is now sparking an international legitimacy cris...

Bitange Ndemo rejects University of Nairobi VC appointment, cites flawed process May 09, 2025

The falling-out highlights persistent governance challenges in Kenya's public universities, especially the University of Nairobi, where political infl...

Mudavadi meets US top diplomat Marco Rubio in Washington, days after China visit May 08, 2025

Mudavadi's Washington stopover follows his April visit to Beijing, where he met top Chinese officials to discuss infrastructure financing, trade, and...

UAE dismisses Sudan's decision to cut ties, refuses to recognise army-aligned leadership May 08, 2025

The UAE accused the Port Sudan faction—one of two warring authorities in Sudan—of attempting to divert attention from efforts to end the war.

Kenya pushes Washington to scrap Trump-era tariffs as trade pressures mount May 07, 2025

The duties now threaten to erode Kenya's competitiveness in its most lucrative export market.

Tatu City owners accuse Kiambu governors of land grabs in exchange for permits — AFP report May 06, 2025

Still, Mendenhall notes that "Kenyan corruption has made it by far the hardest," a frustration echoed across the private sector.

AU, IGAD step up efforts to revive South Sudan's stalled peace process May 06, 2025

The high-level visit to Juba came amid mounting tensions and stalled progress in the implementation of the 2018 accord.

South Sudan invites AU, IGAD chiefs for crisis talks amid fears of renewed conflict May 05, 2025

IGAD's Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu urged all actors to avoid unilateral actions and respect the framework of the 2018 accord, still regarded...

ICJ dismisses Sudan’s genocide case against UAE over alleged support to RSF May 05, 2025

In a decision issued on Monday, the UN's top court ruled that it "manifestly lacked" jurisdiction to hear the case, effectively ending the proceedings...

Salim Ahmed Salim: African diplomat who almost led United Nations May 02, 2025

Salim was, arguably, the closest Africa has come to clinching the UN’s top job. His age, diplomatic poise, and Pan-Africanist ethos made him a standou...

UN extends South Sudan peacekeeping mission by nine days amid escalating tensions May 02, 2025

The mission's renewal reflects a sobering reality: the country's internal fragility continues to pose a threat to regional peace and security.

Mudavadi to MPs: Fund Foreign Ministry to support Kenyans in legal trouble abroad May 01, 2025

Mudavadi noted that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is increasingly under public pressure to secure legal aid or diplomatic intervention...

South Sudan peace deal under threat as key opposition leaders detained Apr 30, 2025

Human Rights Watch estimates that 17 individuals remain incarcerated in Juba without formal charges.

Mudavadi blasts MPs over Taiwan trip plan during Ruto’s China visit, describes move as "reckless and malicious" Apr 30, 2025

Mudavadi said the timing of the lawmakers' planned trip was not only provocative but risked undermining Kenya's delicate and strategically important d...

Cabinet okays establishment of Kenyan consulate in Haiti Apr 29, 2025

The diplomatic post will be manned by former Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police, Noor Gabow, whose nomination was approved by Kenya...

Kenya denies role in Sudan war, describes army's claims as politically motivated Apr 29, 2025

Kenya emphasised that it has consistently leveraged its proximity and role within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to mediate bet...

Kenya seeks UN support to rationalise costly public participation amid questions on priorities Apr 28, 2025

Critics point out the paradox of government seeking external assistance for a constitutionally mandated civic process while domestic resources are oft...

Kenya dodges Western Sahara stance, reaffirms One-China Policy in new foreign blueprint Apr 28, 2025

As Ruto courts global partnerships, Nairobi's diplomatic pragmatism risks fraying the solidarity it once championed in Africa's unfinished decolonisat...

Tanzania lifts Ban on Malawi, South Africa agricultural imports after diplomatic truce Apr 26, 2025

This latest move marks a de-escalation of tensions after what had initially appeared to be a brewing trade row among the SADC partners.

Kenya deepens China ties while quietly courting Washington as Ruto, Xi announce partnership Apr 25, 2025

This dual-track diplomacy — Beijing for infrastructure and sovereignty-laced solidarity, Washington for trade frameworks and finance — reflects Nairob...

Frosty relations begin to melt as Ramaphosa, Trump hold first call Apr 24, 2025

The relationship between Washington and Pretoria has frayed significantly since Trump resumed office in January.

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